BACK

BACK
Technical Service Information
BMW - A4S (THM 4L30-E)
DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE 40
(Pressure Control Solenoid Circuit)
Adapted from BMW’s Service Bulletin 24 06 94

COMPLAINT: BMW’s A4S transmission is otherwise known as the 4L30-E. This transmission is found in
BMW’s 3 and 5 series models. In 3 series vehicles the transmission is referred to as the
A4S/270R and the 5 series as the A4S/310R indicating torque capacity. Some model vehicles
have been producing intermittent pressure control solenoid code 40. If the vehicle is equipped
with an AGS version controller E34 the “Trans Program” may be displayed in the matrix
(Driver Information Center). If it is equipped with the E36 version controller the
transmission fault indicator may be illuminated. Cycling of the ignition switch many times
restores the operation back to normal condition.

CAUSE: Possible Causes:

1. A bad ground or power supply to the TCM.
2. A faulty electrical circuit for the pressure control solenoid to the TCM.
3. The parameters engineered into the PROM for the TCM are too sensitive.

CORRECTION: Step 1. Locate the TCM:

a. 1992 to 1995 318i & 325i vehicles, the unit can be found in the passenger side
engine compartment behind a cover plate as seen in Figure 1.
b. 1991 to 1993 525i vehicles, the unit is behind the passenger side kick panel.
c. 1994 to 1995 525i vehicles, it is the middle unit located in an electrical box in the
engine compartment front of passenger side firewall.

Ground Check:
Once the TCM is located, unplug the 55 pin connector and identify pin locations using Figure
2. With the ignition OFF and a DVOM set to ohms, check the ground circuit for continuity
from terminal 19 in the vehicle harness connector to ground. If continuity is not observed,
provide a permanent ground for wire 19. To ensure that a good ground exists, plug the
harness back into the TCM. Start up the vehicle and turn on as many electrical loads as
possible. Switching your DVOM to DC volts, place the negative lead to ground and probe
wire 19 with the positive lead. Less than 0.3 volts should be observed. Repair ground wire as
necessary. Once the ground wire check is acceptable and code 40 persists, perform the
following excessive voltage check procedure.

Excessive Voltage Check:

If an alternator is malfunctioning such as intermittent spikes, a code 40 could be produced.
With most vehicles, a quick method in checking for this possibility would be to erase the
code and run the vehicle with the alternator disconnected. If a chronic solenoid code problem
is resolved with a disconnected alternator, the problem area has been located. Another
alternative would be to use a DVOM equipped with a “MIN/MAX” option. With the meter
attached to the charging system the min/max setting can present any spikes that may occur.

Continued on Page 2

01-31
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SERVICE GROUP Page 1 of 6
 BACK
BACK
Technical Service Information

CORRECTION: (Cont'd From Page 1)

Excessive Voltage Check: (Cont'd)
Another quick check that should be employed is to see the amount of AC voltage riding on
top of the DC signal produced by the alternator. In other words, check the charging system
for excessive "ripple". Simply observe the amount of AC voltage that is in the charging
system with your DVOM set to AC volts. Most BMW vehicles utilize a Bosch alternator and
depending on factors such as model type and the amount of electrical load being placed on
the system, an approximate acceptable level of AC voltage would be between 0.3 to 0.6
volts. In a perfect world 0 volts should be observed. Since this is not the case, the most you
should allow would be approximately 0.7 to 0.8 AC volts. Anything more is a definite
concern.
Caution: With all BMW’s, the best way to erase codes is with a scanner. The problem here is
that most generic scan tools are not capable of attaching to and erasing codes from BMW
computer systems. Disconnecting the battery to erase the codes may seem to be an option,
but be prepared to encounter new problems afterwards such as a loss of radio or memorized
stations and/or, a loss of memorized seat and mirror positions. But most importantly, you
could lose memorized engine control parameters producing a poor running vehicle.
Disconnecting the battery is not recommended. Obviously the best choice would be to use
an appropriate scanner.

TCM Voltage Supply:

Once the alternator passes examination, switch the meter to DC volts and check TCM
terminal 37 for system voltage. If voltage is not observed, a wiring problem via the ignition
switch, and through a fuse will need to be corrected. Once corrected, clear code and drive the
vehicle. If code 40 returns, conyinue on to step two.

Step 2. Checking solenoid resistance:

Turn ignition to the OFF position. Using a DVOM set to ohms, check the pressure control
solenoid circuit between terminals 40 and 41 at the TCM. Solenoid resistance should be 2 to
6 ohms. If solenoid resistance is out of range, unplug the transmission case connector (See
Figure 3), and recheck the pressure control solenoid resistance between terminals 1 and 3
(See Figure 4). If the resistance is still out of range, an inspection of the internal harness and
solenoid will need to be performed and repaired. If the resistance is within range from the
case connector but does not check correctly at the TCM, wires 40 and 41 at the TCM to the
transmission will need to be individually inspected and repaired. If code 40 persists after all
previous checks and necessary repairs have been made, continue on to step 3.

Step 3. Replace the EPROM:

It is now time to replace the EPROM inside the TCM. These new EPROM’s are very
inexpensive and they have been re-calibrated. The EPROM inside the TCM is year, make
and model sensitive. Refer the chart in Figure 5 for the proper EPROM Replacement Part
Number.

01-31
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SERVICE GROUP Page 2 of 6
 BACK
BACK
Technical Service Information

TCM
ECM

Copyright ©2001 ATSG

Figure 1

1 19
20 37

38 55

38 55

20 37

1 19

Copyright ©2001 ATSG

Figure 2
01-31
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SERVICE GROUP Page 3 of 6
 BACK
BACK
Technical Service Information

1 5

2 4

6 3 9
7 8

View Looking Into Case

Connector Setting In The vehicle

Copyright ©2001 ATSG

Figure 3
01-31
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SERVICE GROUP Page 4 of 6
 BACK
BACK
Technical Service Information
INTERNAL WIRE SCHEMATIC

1 5

2 4

6 3 9
7 8

View Looking Into Case

Connector Setting In The vehicle

BLUE
1
BROWN BLACK BLACK BLACK BLACK
8
RED
5
GREEN Band 2-3 1-2/3-4 Pres. Reg.
9 TCC
Apply Solenoid Solenoid Solenoid
Solenoid
GRAY Solenoid
7
BLACK
6
YELLOW
3
GRAY
2
GRAY
4 TOT Sensor
(Resistor in Wire)

NOTE: Some internal wire colors may vary.

Case Connector Resistance

Solenoid Pin Numbers In Ohms
Band Apply 6 and 8 9.5 - 10.5
2-3 Sol. 6 and 5 17.5 - 18.5
1-2/3-4 Sol. 6 and 9 17.5 - 18.5
TCC 6 and 7 17.5 - 18.5
Press. Sol. 1 and 3 3.7 - 4.7
TOT 2 and 4 20K @ 70ºF

Copyright ©2001 ATSG

Figure 4
01-31
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SERVICE GROUP Page 5 of 6
 BACK
BACK
Technical Service Information

SERVICE INFORMATION:

Model Production EPPROM Part

Range Number
318i 9/92 - 4/93 01 00 1 469 120
(E36) 5/93 - 12/93 01 00 1 469 121
1/94 - 12/95 01 00 1 469 811
325i 9/91 - 9/92 01 00 1 469 123
(E36) 10/92 - 9/93 01 00 1 469 124
10/93 - 12/95 01 00 1 469 125
525i 9/91 01 00 1 469 126
(E34) 10/91 - 9/92 01 00 1 469 127
10/92 - 9/93 01 00 1 469 128
10/93 01 00 1 469 129

Pressure Control Solenoid (All Models) ...................................................................... 24 35 1 421 602

Figure 5

01-31
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SERVICE GROUP Page 6 of 6